my new build, and recent overclock

[TBSN]

So, I just built my first computer, thanks to all the help I've received from these forums. It's been running fine for several weeks so I thought I'd try overclocking. Here's what I've got so far:

E6420 @ 400fsb + 1.32V- 3.2Ghz
Geil RAM @ 800 (they're rated at 1066)

I have a couple questions.

1) the 1.320V is what CPU-Z reports, and is actually slightly lower than what I set in the BIOS. Is this normal? Also, I chose this voltage simply because it was the same as what CPU-Z showed when the voltage was set at AUTO and before I overclocked it.

2) the RAM is 1066, but when the FSB is at 400, the choices it gives me go from 800 MHz to 960 Mhz to 1000MHz to 1200MHz, etc. Should I leave it at 800 (1:1) or should I put it higher to 1000?

3) I didn't touch the voltages for the chipset (P35). So far, it is running hotter than the CPU, which idles around 35-39degrees, according to TAT.

Basically, is there anything else I should do?

Thanks again for all the advice, I love this computer so far!

 

[Nathelion]

Voltage reporting both by BIOS and third party utilities is notoriously unreliable. Same goes for temperatures. Always keep a certain safety margin, or you may end up inadvertently frying something. Especially for voltage.

As for the memory dividers, the guide at the top of this forum is quite informative on this particular point.

 

[TBSN]

I looked at the sticky, but it doesn't mention memory dividers. I've read that 1:1 is best, unless perhaps the memory is running a lot faster than the FSB.

Anyway, I know it easily overclocks to 3.2GHz now, and I think I may try putting it back to normal because I don't really need the extra speed. I'd rather try to get it to run as cool as possible as to make the chip last longer, until I need to overclock it. Does that make any sense? There are a lot of settings that I don't understand in BIOS, although most of them were mentioned in the overclocking guide on the first page.

The only things I'm concerned about are the temperatures and voltages of the motherboard, which gets kind of hot, and setting up my RAM correctly.

By the way, I HIGHLY recommend this Noctua CPU cooler. It's really silent and it works really really well.

 

[TBSN]

OK, here's a simpler question:

What's the best of these scenarios?

FSB at 400 (3.2GHz) and the memory at 800 (1:1),
FSB at 350 (2.8GHz) and the memory at 526 (2:3),
FSB at 266 (2.13GHz) and the memory at 532 (1:2)

 

[AlucardX]

Originally posted by: TBSN
OK, here's a simpler question:

What's the best of these scenarios?

FSB at 400 (3.2GHz) and the memory at 800 (1:1),
FSB at 350 (2.8GHz) and the memory at 526 (2:3),
FSB at 266 (2.13GHz) and the memory at 532 (1:2)

uh the first one.. is that a trick question?

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: TBSN
OK, here's a simpler question:

What's the best of these scenarios?

FSB at 400 (3.2GHz) and the memory at 800 (1:1),
FSB at 350 (2.8GHz) and the memory at 526 (2:3),
FSB at 266 (2.13GHz) and the memory at 532 (1:2)

Nah, just set the FSB at 200 and run it at 1.6Ghz

 

[TBSN]

ok, what I meant was which would be better in terms of the memory performance. Sorry, this is kind of new for me...

I just don't like the fact that if I run it at 400 FSB, then the memory is at 800, and if I run it at stock the memory is at it's rated 1066MHz...

 

[nullpointerus]

Running the RAM with the rated speed, voltages, and timings is generally best. You are assured that the sticks will work, unless they are faulty and in need of RMA. Underclocking and overclocking memory can sometimes lead to problems although generally underclocking *should* be fine.

As to what's better--high bandwidth or tight timings--IMO bandwidth is better unless you are some kind of synthetic memory benchmark addict. LOL

If in doubt, run 3DMark06 at 800 MHz (1:1) and then at 1066 MHz (whatever ratio) to see what happens.

 

[TBSN]

OK, thanks for the info. The only problem is that at 400 FSB I can't run the RAM at the rated speed. I can run it at 1000Mhz though, which is pretty close anyway. I put the FSB lower, to 350, just because I felt a little nervous about having the CPU OC'ed so much. I didn't increase the voltage or anything, I guess just seeing it at 3200Mhz instead of 2140 or whatever made me nervous, that and I have no idea what the auto setting will put the mobo's voltage at...
Thanks for the help!

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Set the memory to 1000, and use stock ddr volts and timings.

And don't be nervous at 3.2, if your vcore is showing as 1.32 in CPU-z and your load temps using TAT stay under 65-70c your golden. That looks to be a nice chip you have, you could probably go on up to 3.5-3.6 with a little vcore bump, as your temps seem very good

 

[Markfw]

what P35 motherboard ?

 

[nullpointerus]

Make sure you use Prime95/Orthos to test the cores and Memtest86 to test the RAM (if you haven't already).

Enjoy your overclock! I got a bum chip that won't hit 3.0 GHz without excessive voltage (1.44v), so I'm sticking to 2.66 GHz.

 

[TBSN]

It's an Asus P5K-Deluxe. The RAM is rated up to 2.4volts I believe, but I have it set at 2.2 at the moment. I think I will try what you said Guitardaddy, and set it to 1000. The only thing I want to find out about is what the stock motherboard voltage is. I read in the overclocking guide that leaving the CPU voltage on AUTO may let the computer pump up the voltage way too high, and I'm a little nervous about that happening with the NB/SB voltages.